Frequently Asked Questions

Insurance Companies

Why should we have to pay to have affected items cleaned, when they can be replaced with brand-new substitutes?

There are two reasons to restore affected items rather than replace them: familiarity and cost. Most importantly, the customer has spent years growing attached to their belongings and the heartache of discarding affected items after a catastrophe only adds insult to injury. FRSTeam by DKS Dry Cleaning Restoration has the expertise and the technology to restore sentimental items to pre-loss conditions and bring back the joy that could never be equated by a substitute. Secondly, the cost to restore most affected items is a fraction of what you would pay to replace them. The replacement cost on a nice pair of shoes can easily top $100, but they can be cleaned for less than $10. Fine draperies can be restored for several hundred dollars, when replacements could climb as high as $5,000 or more. Restoration just makes sense.

Will our customers have to rush out and purchase emergency clothing while their items are being processed?

Absolutely not. FRSTeam by DKS Dry Cleaning Restoration regularly delivers, at no additional charge, up to two weeks’ worth of clothing and other necessity items back to our customers within 24 hours, and to some in as little of six hours.

Will the estimate be easy to interpret?

Of course. We offer a detailed explanation of all the charges associated with restoring the valued belongings of a disaster victim. Rather than being invisibly averaged into the unit cost of every item, supplement services-deodorization, drapery takedown and re-hang, etc- are clearly marked on the estimate, and only billed where applicable.

Victims of Loss

How long will the process take?

We can clean emergency items and deliver them back to you in less than 24 hours and, in most cases, can have your entire inventory ready for delivery in less than two weeks. Ultimately, you can set the schedule to coincide with the restoration of your residence.

Do you have the room to safely store my belongings while my residence is restored?

FRSTeam by DKS Dry Cleaning Restoration operates a 15,000-square-foot, climate controlled and insured warehouse with ’round-the-clock video surveillance to protect and store your items until you are ready for delivery.

How do you make sure that my items don’t get mixed in with those of other customers?

At the job site, all items are placed in bags that have your name and job number clearly displayed. After those bags get back to our facility, each customer’s order is sorted separately, to prevent mistakes and cross-contamination. While in sorting, each inventoried piece (everything but bulk laundry) is also individually tagged with a number that identifies it as yours throughout the cleaning process, and then all items are once again placed into labeled bags for processing. From beginning to end, your name and job number will always be clearly visible on the bag, box, washing machine, or label that contains or accompanies your belongings.

Which items do you clean in-house and what do you send out for processing?

All fine leather and suede goods, all furs and most rugs and draperies are sent out to be cleaned by industry leaders specializing in the care of those items. All other items are cleaned by FRSTeam by DKS Dry Cleaning Restoration.

How will my belongings be delivered back to me?

Your items will arrive by van or box truck with a uniformed technician ready to assist you in the reorganization of the belongings in your home. Bulk items such as socks, undergarments, towels, sheets and pillowcases will be folded and delivered to you in boxes labeled with content descriptions. Most shoes, purses and similar items will also be returned in labeled boxes. All other items will be pressed and on hangers, with the exception of oversized pieces (suitcases, stuffed animals, etc.) which will be individually bagged in clear plastic.

After Fire Damage

After fire damage has occurred, should I try to clean the house/building and its contents before FRSTeam by DKS Drying Cleaning Restoration arrives?

No, this may cause more harm than good. Taking immediate action can hinder the ability for FRSTeam experts to deliver satisfactory restoration services. It is better to wait until our restoration experts arrive on-site.

What can I do after a fire before the FRSTeam crew arrives on site to expedite the process?

Some things you can do to ensure a smooth and quick process include:

Clean and protect all chrome in the home including faucets and all other bright work. Protect these items by applying a thin coat of Vaseline or oil.
Blow or brush off loose smoke particles that are visible on interior items such as drapes and carpets.
If weather permits, open as many windows as possible.
Pour antifreeze in toilets, tanks and tubs to prevent freeze damage in the winter. Also, call a plumber to drain all water lines.
Remove all pets and take them to a cleaner and healthier environment.

How can I keep myself and my family members safe after major fire damage has occurred to my home?

If an insurance claim will be filled, don’t disturb the area around the origin of the fire or dispose of any damaged items. Wait for the insurance personnel to notify you that it is OK to begin removing and displacing items in the home.
Don’t use any belongings, carpet, furniture or other items damaged by smoke residue.
Don’t try to turn any electronic appliances on until they have been cleaned and inspected by experts.

Is it possible to remove all smoke odor from a home after a fire?

Yes, but in many cases, other items such as appliances will have to be replaced to achieve a completely odor-free environment within the home.

After Water Damage

What are the causes of major water damage to a home?

The main causes of major water damage to a home include: fire damage, blocked drainage lines, broken pipes, busted water mains, severe weather/storms, leaking roofs and broken appliances.

What are the first steps I should follow after severe water damage has occurred in my home?

Ventilate wet areas and remove any standing water as best as possible.
Remove saturated rugs and carpets off of any hardwood floors.
Remove computers, lamps, photos and other important items. Then dry these items using a variety of methods. Type of method will depend on the degree of damage.
Avoid all areas of the home with sagging ceilings caused by standing water to avoid injury.

During a flood, does mold always develop?

No, mold doesn’t always develop in all cases. The experts at FRSTeam will work with you and the insurance companies to determine if there is evidence of mold growth within the home.

How can I be proactive and help identify potential water damage before a major catastrophe occurs?

Homeowners should be aware and take note of any changes they notice in and around their home. These signs include leaking roofs, water gathering near home’s foundation, water spots on ceilings, problems with water pipes, peeling paint, mold, moisture, etc.

After Sewage Damage

How is sewage and flood damage different than basic water damage?

Sewage and flood water contain harmful contaminates, bacteria and other organisms that are very harmful to humans. These contaminates are also easily transmitted. Children and pets are especially vulnerable to the pollutants caused by this type of damage. Please note that there is indeed a risk of contamination in water damage as well.

Can all parts of my home/structure be restored after this type of damage has occurred?

Not necessarily. It may not be possible to restore certain items such as carpeting, dry wall and other absorbent materials after they have been in contact with this type of damage. These items may need to be replaced.